Packing-case



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G. W. BANKER.

PACKING CASE.

Patented Aug. 13, 1889.

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' UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. BANKER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

PACKING-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,684, dated August 13, 1889.

Application filed January 22, 1889. Serial No. 297.182. (No model.)

I tween them and the inner sides of the case containing them; and, broadly stated, the invention consists in a plurality of spring-buffers placed on the inside of the case, which are compressible by the insertion of the demijohn or its equivalent between them. They thus center the vessel, holding it at substantially equal distance from the sides of the case all around, and also by their compressibility and elasticity they prevent fracture of the vessel consequent on jar or shock.

In the drawings the same reference-letters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In this specification and 'in the drawings thereof I describe and illustrate a demijohn as the vessel in conjunction with which my invention is used; but I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to that special kind of vessel, nor to glass vessels, nor to those intended to contain liquids. Any vessel, box, or package which requires cushioning, as stated, may be protected by the employment of my invention.

Figure 1 illustrates in elevation one of the packing-cases now used by me to contain a demijohn or like vessel. It is fitted with my invention on its interior. This figure shows that the exterior of the case is as smooth and free from points or projections which would be apt to catch in adjoining articles as other cases used for the like purpose. Fig. 2 illustrates a horizontal section of. the case, taken on the line m 00 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 illustrates a vertical section of thecase, taken on the line y y of Fig. 2, or, in other words, corner-wise. Fig. 4 illustrates a longitudinal View, partly in section, of one of the spring-buffers sepa rate from the case. Fig. 5 illustrates a demijohn provided with a canvas, leather, or

' case.

' equivalent covering and having handles of the same material, which method of covering the demijohns may be very advantageously employed in my improved cases, since the canvas or leather covering requires but little room, thus reducing the aggregate size of the A is the case. It is made, preferably, of wood. It is provided with the usual cover B, which has fastening devices and handles, as shown. Any other preferred form of case may be used, and it is not essential that it should have a cover of the form shown or of any other form] B is any suitable cushioning material placed on the interior bottom. of the case to protect the vessel against shock from below.

0 O O O are the buffers. They are com posed of two practically-parallel bars D and E, (see Fig. 4,) one of themE in the present instance, although it may be the other onebeing provided with dowels F, which are fastened rigidly to itby cross-pins G, and which are headed on their other end, as at H. The head H moves through recesses H, somewhat larger than they are made in the bar D. The head engages with an annular shoulderI near the front edge of the bar D, and prevents the dowel from pulling out therefrom or being pushed out under the action of the springs J, which encircle the dowels. The bar D is fast- .ened securely in the corners of the case A by nailing, screwing, or in other preferred manner. The upper ends of the inner bars E are beveled off, as at K, whereby the demijohn or like vessel will. readily enter between the upper ends of the bars E and spread them apart upon. slight pressure being applied to the top of the demijohn. Thus it is not necessary to separate the buffer-bars by hand.

In order that the foregoing result may be attained, the adjustment of the parts should be such that the bottom of the demijohn shall not overlap the tops of the bars E, but shall fall somewhere upon the beveled surfaces K thereof. This, however, is not essential to my invention, but simply my preferred construction. The springs J rest against the opposite faces of bars D and E, as shown.

Referring to Fig. 5, the demi ohn is covered or partially covered with a canvas protector having handles, whereby the vessel may be conveniently manipulated. The covering is composed of a bottom piece M, upright side pieces or straps N, a circumferential band 0, which holds the upright pieces in place, and a neck-inclosing piece P and handles Q Q, (one or more, two being shown in the drawings,) which are also sewed to the upright straps N N and to the neck-piece P. This form of covering fora demijohn has many advantages, among them that it maybe made complete 011 a sewing-machine or otherwise, if preferred, when separate from the demijohn, and then putin place thereon, as shown, and fastened securely by lacings or equivalent holding means about the neck, as seen at R. I do not claim this covering, however, in this application, it having already been patented to me in my United States Letters Patent dated July 3, 1888, and numbered 385,438.

It is obvious, also, that, if preferred, the covering for the demijohn may be solid, so called-i. e., not having open spaces therein, as shownand when so made the lacing R or equivalent fastening and holding means should preferably extend down the entire side of the vessel, or practically so.

It will be obvious to those who are familiar with such matters that instead of there being four buffers there may be three or any greater number, or even two only, if other means of centering the vessel be employed;

also, that they need not be continuous strips from the top to the bottom of the exterior 'case, but, on the contrary, in short sections, or only one shorter section, located where most desirable; also, that the springs may be of any preferred form other than spiral; also, that it is not essential that they should encircle the dowels; also, that other means than dowels may be employed to guide and hold the bars E in place, and, generally, that there may be many alterations made in the details of construction and still the essentials of my invention be employed.

The operation of the device is manifest from the foregoing descriptionthat is to say, the demijohn or other vessel or package, either before or after it is filled, is pressed into its place between theinnersurfaces of the strips E, they being thereby somewhat compressed, thus holding the vessel, by means of elastic supports, properly centered and away from contact with the rigid sides of the case. Itis not essential, however, that the size of the vessel or package should be such that upon introduction between the buffers they will be compressed.

It will be noticed that by the employment of a case of square or angular form in crosssection and placing the buffers in the corners thereof 1 secure a decided advantage, because I thereby am enabled to pack a round vessel-as, for instance, a demijohn-in the same sized case that would be needful for the same vessel without the buffers, because I avail myself of the unused corner-spaces within which the buifers are placed, and in which they have ample room to operate. This feature is fully illustrated in Fig. 2, where, it will be seen, the vessel lies as close to the sides of the case as it could safely be placed if the bu [fers were not used, and that the buffers are located'in the otherwise waste corner-spaces.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. The above-described buffer for a packing-case, comprising, essentially, a fixed bar, a movable bar, guiding and holding devices whereby the movable bar is held in proper position and compelled to movev in proper directions, and springs interposed between the two bars, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with a case or box of angular cross-section, a plurality of spring-buffers fastened in the interior of the box and located in the corners thereof, the buffers comprising, essentially, a fixed bar, a movable bar, guiding and holding devices for the movable bar, and sprin gs interposed between the two bars, substantially as set forth.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 10th day of January, A. D. 1889.

GEO. V. BANKER.

Witnesses:

PHILLIPS ABBOTT, VILLIAM EcK.. 

